The Government of Uganda has distanced itself from the acts of violence that have marred the ongoing Kawempe North by-election campaigns, stating that such brutality is not state-sanctioned and that those responsible should be held accountable.
Speaking on behalf of the Government, Minister of State for Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Hon. David Bahati, assured Parliament that the state does not endorse election violence and is committed to ensuring a free and fair electoral process.
“We stated last week that there is no state-sponsored violence in these elections. The state has not sanctioned this, and those harming people during elections should be brought to book,” Bahati said. “As Government, we are doing everything within our power to ensure that the people of Uganda enjoy the freedoms ushered in by the National Resistance Movement. Our role is to create an environment where voters can elect their leaders freely and fairly.”
However, his remarks were met with strong resistance from opposition MPs, particularly Nyendo-Mukungwe legislator and former Leader of Opposition, Hon. Mathias Mpuuga, who dismissed the Government’s stance as mere rhetoric.
Mpuuga argued that many individuals responsible for past electoral violence have instead been rewarded with promotions rather than being held accountable.
“From the last elections, those who committed crimes against citizens have never been brought to book. The gentleman who shot journalist Ashraf Kasirye is well known and well documented. Kasirye is now in exile in the United States, while the officer who shot him was promoted,” Mpuuga said. “So, we have to be honest with ourselves. We must put a mirror to our faces and ask: What exactly are we dealing with?”
Mpuuga further questioned the presence of military personnel in a by-election, arguing that it demonstrates the lack of independence of the Electoral Commission.
“There is no rational explanation for the military’s presence in a by-election. If we are serious about democracy, we must be honest about what we are dealing with,” he stated. “The Electoral Commission has been disempowered, and it is clear that they can do nothing. This pretense must stop. If the Government does not want elections, then they should abolish them and rule by martial law.”he said
He also expressed concern that the violence in Kawempe North was merely a preview of what Ugandans should expect in the 2026 general elections.
“The Kawempe by-election is a rehearsal for harder times ahead. I pray that I will be around to remind this House and its members that tolerating state violence will not help anybody,” Mpuuga warned.
He further criticized Parliament’s failure to address human rights violations, referring to a pending statement from the Government on the disappearance of Ugandans.
“You ordered the Minister to make a statement on missing Ugandans, but the deadline has passed, and nothing has been done. Now, beating people senseless in Kawempe is just another normal day,” Mpuuga lamented. “Breaking skulls, cracking heads, and the House of Parliament, meant to be the firewall of the nation,just sits back and watches. If we continue down this path, Uganda’s democracy will remain a mere illusion.”